 Spiritual: May 07, 2008 Issue [#2358] |
  Spiritual
This week: Edited by: SophyBells  
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Hi, I'm SophyBells ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter. This week we'll talk about finding (and writing about) the Sacred in everyday life.
The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred.  |
| ASIN: B083RZ2C5F |
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Amazon's Price: Price N/A
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Reading the Sacred in Everyday Life
In this letter to the editor, I want to share a book with you that has really helped me, not only in terms of my spiritual path, but also in terms of my spiritual writing. The book is:
| ASIN: 0684835347 |
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Amazon's Price: $ 19.56
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and I can't recommend it highly enough!
In the introduction to their book, Mary Ann and Frederick Brussat maintain that we encounter signs every day which point to the active presence of the Spirit in the world around us. "Spiritual literacy" they say, "is the ability to read signs written in the texts of our own experiences. Whether viewed as a gift from God, or a skill to be cultivated, this facility enables us to discern and decipher a world full of meaning."
The Brussats go on to remind us that spiritual literacy of some sort is practiced in all of the world's religious traditions. Medieval Catholic Monks called it "reading the book of the world." Muslims suggest that everything that happens outside and inside us is a letter to be read. Native Americans find their way through the wilderness by "reading signs."
"From ancient times to the present," say the Brussats, "spiritually literate people have been able to locate points of connection with the sacred within their daily life. Perhaps you find God in books or movies. Perhaps you feel closest to the Spirit in nature, or through your service activities. Perhaps your family is your greatest source of spiritual nourishment. Whatever is true for you, you are invited to join others who have found that spirituality is played out in the ordinary and the everyday. For when we are spiritually literate, we discover that the whole world is charged with sacred meaning."
The rest of their book is broken into ten sections ~ Things, Places, Nature, Animals, Leisure, Creativity, Service, Body, Relationships, Community ~ within which there are snippets from novels and movies, poems and stories, all illustrating how other people have connected with the Sacred in those categories. I discovered this book a few years ago while preparing for a Spiritual Women's Retreat, and have found it to be an invaluable sort of "Bible" for me ever since. Each page is filled with some new insight of how ordinary people connect with the Extraordinary in their every day living, offering inspiration about how one can seek out and find those connections.
I find this book to be such a treasure because it serves to remind me of something I've been working to cultivate for many years in my own spiritual life. Namely, that connecting with the Sacred is not confined to a certain prescribed place and time, such as a place of worship on a specific day, nor to the activities sanctioned by religious authorities such as daily prayer and Scripture reading, etc., as is taught in many religions. Nor is it exclusively confined to a particular system of belief or religious practice. On the contrary, our connection with Sacred Reality is a bond which is never broken and is always available. If we pay attention, we will see it evidenced every where we look.
For instance, one person may find a powerful connection to the Sacred by attending Mass regularly, experiencing a unique connection to God via the recitation of ritualistic prayers. Another person might connect with the Sacred by listening to a music, or taking a walk in the woods, and yet another person might find the Sacred in reading poetry or laughing with friends over dinner. I connect with the Sacred in a variety of ways, the most stunning and powerful of which are the unexpected gifts I receive when I least expect them. Like the bright pink sky at sunset when I step outside to light the barbecue, or the bright full moon rising as we walk our dog. I also connect with the Sacred in expected and intentional ways, like Sunday morning worship, or listening to a particular piece of music that touches my soul.
How do you connect with the Sacred? Just look around - you'll definitely find the presence of the Sacred very near. Consider this your invitation to write about it, and let me know what you come up with -- I'll share it in next month's newsletter. Until then, I'm off to find the Sacred on a river in Utah, where I'll be rafting for a week. I'll let you know what I discover when I return in late May! 
SophyBells |
Below you'll find some offerings from other WDC members about finding the Sacred all around them in everyday life. Please let the folks know if you read their piece by leaving a thoughtful comment or review.
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
| ASIN: B07P4NVL51 |
Product Type: Toys & Games
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Amazon's Price: Price N/A
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Now for some comments about my April newsletter about doubt:
From Jaye P. Marshall 
Thanks, Sophy, for including my story in your newsletter. I look forward to some of your readers' responses.
Glad to do it -- I hope you get some helpful responses!
     
From Pen Name 
Dear Sophy,
Your newsletter on the subject of doubt was interesting, especially the historical part doubt has played. It seems this kind of "intelligent doubt" is lacking today. Modern doubt seems to equal nonbelief.
Sincerely,
Lotusneko
Glad you found it interesting -- I too found the historical aspect of doubt fascinating. Thanks for your comment.
From Katya the Poet 
Thanks for honoring doubt!
You are welcome!
From Zeke
Doubt reminds us of our limitations as mere creations, however, if we let it dominate us we are playing into the hands of Satan. God has promised to support us with His Holy Spirit, and our prayers should constantly be for that help.
Zeke
Thank you for sharing your opinion about doubt. Personally I don't agree with your statement about doubt playing into the hands of Satan, but I respect your position.
From larryp
Great newsletter Sophy. I have often heard that in the absence of doubt, there would be no need for faith of any kind. I guess this is why I call myself a man of faith, because I have many doubts along the way. Long before I developed the faith in my ability to write poetry, many doubts lingered (and still do).
Larry
Thanks for sharing that, Larry! I like how you express how doubt actually leads to faith.
From diana
I couldn't agree with you more Sophy. Without doubt, there is no soul and without a soul, we are but mere shells that inhabit a space like words that cover a page.
Thanks Diane!
Please keep your comments and suggestions coming, they are greatly appreciated! And on behalf of myself and the other wonderful Spiritual Newsletter Editors, Puditat larryp kittiara -- thanks for reading this newsletter!
Until next time! SophyBells
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| ASIN: B07YXBT9JT |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 4.99
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